Punch and print data card recorder

ABSTRACT

The disclosed data recorder includes a control cam operating to impart oscillating motions to separate punch and print actuators. The punch actuator reciprocates a punch bail to depress individual punches selected by data entry solenoids through punch interposers, thereby to perforate a data card. A step cam oscillated by the print actuator operates against print interposers coupled to the solenoids to angularly orient a print wheel, thus to imprint on the data card the data characters punched into the card. The data card is carried by a tray which is indexed through successive data entry positions in coordination with the control cam by tray stepping control apparatus. A replaceable ink cartridge supplies ink to the print wheel.

United States Patent 1 1 3,682,093 Leonard et al. [451 Aug. 8, 1972 s41 PUNCH AND PRINT DATA CARD 3,051,079 8/1962 Platzman et al. 101/ 19 RECORDER 3,361,242 l/1968 Spaleny ..197/1.5 [72] Inventors: George Hamlin Leonard, 327 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Darien, Conn.; Raymond J. Enyeart, 180 Roseville Road, Westport, Conn.

[22] Filed: May 1, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 33,800

[52] US. Cl. ..l0l/l9, l97/1.5, 234/130 [51] Int. Cl. ..B4lj 3/50 [58] FieldofSearch ..l0l/18, 19, 90, 93 C, 103,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,724,074 8/1929 DuBelle ..101/103 X 2,654,312 10/1953 Phipps ..101/35 2,768,691 10/1956 Cooper et al. 101/19 2,931,291 4/1960 Hopp ..l0l/l9 3,034,426 5/1962 Maier ..l01/l9 Primary Examiner-William B. Penn Attorney-Blair St. Onge and Mayers [57] ABSTRACT The disclosed data recorder includes a control cam operating to impart oscillating motions to separate punch and print actuators. The punch actuator reciprocates a punch bail to depress individual punches selected by data entry solenoids through punch interposers, thereby to perforate a data card. A step cam oscillated by the print actuator operates against print interposers coupled to the solenoids to angularly orient a print wheel, thus to imprint on the data card the data characters punched into the card. The data card is carried by a tray which is indexed through successive data entry positions in coordination with the control cam by tray stepping control apparatus. A replaceable ink cartridge supplies ink to the print wheel.

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msmmm we 3.682.093 SHEET 1% OF 18 PUNCH AND PRINT DATA CARD RECORDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Data recorders of the type to which the present invention is directed have been typically of rather complex design and thus quite expensive. MOreover, they are typically of such size and weight as to be cumbersome to move about, and thus not particularly portable. Attempts to simplify the design and reduce the cost, as well as the size and weight, of such data recorders have typically resulted in the sacrifice in many desirable operating features which otherwise contribute to recorder flexibility, versatility and speed.

While the principle recording function of data recorders of the class presently concerned is to encode data cards by effecting discrete punched holes or perforations therein, it is extremely desirable to have the capability of also imprinting on the card the same data characters which are punched therein. This renders the card humanly readable as well as machine readable. In addition, it also serves as a convenient check or operator accuracy as well as a diagnostic aid to track down recorder malfunctions. Heretofore, recorders having both punching and printing capabilities have not been particularly reliable and are rather difficult to service due to their complex design. Moreover, the inclusion of both provisions in a single data recorder has unduly added to the recorders size and weight. Thus, such dual capability recorders have not been particularly portable, and cannot be readily taken into the field where, in many instances, the data to be recorded originates.

Regardless of the data recorder design, the product it produces, i.e., the punched data card, must be accurately encoded since the data character perforations therein will be read at high speeds by a data card reader. The car perforations, must therefore, be properly formed and rather precisely positioned if they are to be correctly interpreted by the card reader. Thus, it is imperative that the data card to be accurately positioned in the recorder and precisely indexed therethrough so that the data character perforations are entered in proper storage locations or columns on the card. Even a small positional error, if cumulative, will result in interperative errors for data perforations toward the trailing end of the card.

It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive punch card data recorder which is essentially portable, both in terms of size and weight.

A further object is to provide a data recorder of the above character which is simple in design, capable of high operating speeds, and includes a number of operating features which contribute to operational efficrency.

Still another object is to provide a data recorder of the above character which is capable of reliable and accurate operation, as well as long operating life and yet is of such simplified design as to be readily servicable in the field.

Yet another object is to provide a punch card data recorder of the above character which is adapted with a printer attachment for imparting interpretive printing to the punched card.

Other objects of the invention in will part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided as essentially portable data recorder uniquely adapted to substantially simoultaneously punch successive data characters in a data card and to visibly imprint the same data characters on the card. The data card prepared by the subject data recorder is thus readily humanly readable as well as machine readable.

The subject data recorder includes a dual purpose control cam which is rotated through a complete revolution for each data entry cycle. This control cam is uniquely adapted to coordinate the punching and printing functions of the data recorder in an extremely simple and efficient manner. More specifically, the control cam operates to oscillate separate punch and print actuators; these actuators being moved from normal at rest positions to second positions and back to their normal positions at the conclusion of each data entry cycle of the recorder.

The punch actuator is connected to reciprocate a punch bail as the former moves from its normal position to its second position and back. Selection solenoids individually energized from the recorder data entry keyboard are individually coupled to different data card punches by separate punch interposers. When a particular solenoid is energized, its plunger shifts the associated punch interposer to an actuated position where it is engaged by the punch bail as it is forced downwardly by the punch actuator. The actuated punch interpose in turn transmits the downward movement of the punch bail to the associated punch such that it is depressed to perforate a data card therebelow.

As the punch actuator begins its return movement from its second position to its normal position, it raises the punch bail which, in turn, lifts the selected punch out of perforating engagement with the data card. The actuated punch interposer is then released by the punch bail and it is returned to its normal position along with the actuated solenoid plunger by a spring.

While the punching function is being carried out, a print control cam is oscillated by the print actuator as it is moved from its normal position to its second position and back by the control cam. Print interposers coupled to the selection solenoid plungers are individually moved from normal to actuated positions with energization of their associated solenoids. The print cam engages the actuated print interposer to inhibit further movement of the print cam from a normal position toward a second limit position. The increment of movement of the print cam from its normal position to the point where it engages an actuated print interposer is dependent upon which selection solenoid was energized or, in other words, the data entry. The degree of movement of the print cam is uniquely amplified and coupled to a print wheel, which is proportionately rotated so as to be oriented with the appropriate data character in the proper print position relative to the data card. A print hammer, also controlled by the dual purpose control cam by way of the print actuator, causes the print wheel to impact against the data card to imprint the data character thereon.

As the print actuator is returned to its normal position by the control cam, the print cam and hammer are 

1. A data recorder comprising, in combination: A. a data character entry keyboard; B. a holder for a data card receiving data characters entered by said keyboard; C. a plurality of solenoids selectively actuated from said keyboard; D. a control shaft adapted to execute a single complete revolution in response to each data character entry cycle initiated from said keyboard; E. a control cam secured on said control shaft; F. an actuator carrying a cam follower for said control cam and mounted to execute a complete cycle of oscillation during each data character entry cycle in response to a complete revolution of said control cam; G. a punch actuator arm carried by said actuator; H. a plurality of punches individually mounted for reciprocating movement to effect discrete data character perforations in the data card; I. a plurality of interposers, each operatively coupling each said solenoid to a different one of said punches, said punch interposers 1) individually movable to an actuated position in response to energization of its associated solenoid; J. a common punch bail operatively coupled to said punch actuator arm to be reciprocated thereby, said member
 1. engaging an actuated one of said punch interposers upon downward movement to depress said punch coupled thereto into perforating engagement with said data card during the first half of an entry cycle, and
 2. operatively engaging said depressed punch during upward, return movement to lift it out of perforating engagement with the data card during the second half of an entry cycle; K. a print actuator arm carried by said actuator; L. a print member bearing type of the data characters enterable by said keyboard; M. a composite print cam operatively coupled to said print actuator arm to execute a cycle oscillatory motion during each entry cycle; N. print interposers operatively coupled to different ones of said solenoids for movement to actuated positions where they are engaged by said print cam to uniquely define discretely different magnitudes of print cam motion; O. means interconnecting said print cam to said print member such as to couple the motion of said print cam to said print member to print on the card the data character punched therein; and P. a hammer operatively coupled to said print actuator arm for impacting said print member against the card.
 2. operatively engaging said depressed punch during upward, return movement to lift it out of perforating engagement with the data card during the second half of an entry cycle; K. a print actuator arm carried by said actuator; L. a print member bearing type of the data characters enterable by said keyboard; M. a composite print cam operatively coupled to said print actuator arm to execute a cycle oscillatory motion during each entry cycle; N. print interposers operatively coupled to different ones of said solenoids for movement to actuated positions where they are engaged by said print cam to uniquely define discretely different magnitudes of print cam motion; O. means interconnecting said print cam to said print member such as to couple the motion of said print cam to said print member to print on the card the data character punched therein; and P. a hammer operatively coupled to said print actuator arm for impacting said print member against the card.
 2. The data recorder defined in claim 1, wherein
 2. said print cam has a series of cam surfaces arranged in stair step fashion and aligned with the actuated positions of said print interposers, a. the magnitude of motion of said print cam being defined by which of said cam surfaces engages an actuated print interposer.
 2. a torsion spring urging said takeup reel into rotation in a first direction, and
 2. said hammer includes a tooth positioned to engage an appropriate one of said detents to finally, precisely orient said print member incident to impacting said print member against the card.
 2. said guide pins fixedly secured at one end to their associated punches,
 2. an escapement operating in conjunction with said spring to index said holder at the conclusion of each data character entry cycle; D. a bank of punch elements; E. a bank of selectors individually actuated from said keyboard for selecting said punch elements for reciprocating movement into and out of perforating engagement with the card; F. motor means for powering an entry cycle, said motor means including
 2. a one revolution clutch coupling the motor shaft to a control shaft to define an entry cycle initiated from said keyboard; G. a control cam secured to said control shaft; H. a punch actuator driven off said control cam to reciprocate said punch elements; I. a trip cam secured on said control shaft to actuate said escapement; J. a print actuator driven off said control cam; and K. a printer attachment for imprinting data characters on the card corresponding to those punched in the card by said punch elements, said attachment including
 2. a composite print cam mounted for rotational movement under the control of said print actuator and said selectors, a. the magnitude of rotational movement of said composite cam during each entry cycle being dependent on which said selector is actuated, and
 2. an elongated band having one end anchored to said takeup reel and its other end anchored to said holder, and
 2. means mounted on said control shaft for tripping said escapement mechanism at the conclusion of each entry cycle to advance the data card, thereby presenting the next consecutive card data entry location to said punches and said print member.
 2. a punch interposer actuated by said solenoid to operatively couple one of said punch elements to said punch actuator, and
 3. a print interposer actuated by said solenoid to determine the magnitude of rotation of said composite print cam.
 3. indicia carried by said band for indicating the card data storage location aligned with said punches and said print wheel.
 3. means interconnecting said print cam and print wheel to couple the rotational movement of said composite cam to said print wheel to orient the latter to the appropriate print position, and
 3. each said punch interposers formed having an elongated vertical slot engaging one end of its associated actuator pin, whereby said punch interposers are a. connected to said actuator pins for horizontal movement thereby to said actuated positions, and b. free to vertically reciprocate with said guide pins and punches relative to said actuator pins during data card perforation.
 3. a ribbon anchored at one end to said takeup reel and tracked around a series of rollers alternately mounted by said print cam and a fixed support and anchored at its other end to an anchor post, and
 3. The data recorder defined in claim 1, which further includes A. a spring arm mounting said print member and operating to lift said print member from engagement with the card.
 4. The data recorder defined in claim 3, which further includes A. a bracket pivotally mounting said print member and cooperating with said spring arm to define an arcuate path For movement of said print member toward and away from the card.
 4. said torsion spring acting to wind up said ribbon, thereby rocking said print cam down-ward into engagement with an actuated one of said print interposers.
 4. a hammer engaged by said print actuator to impact said print wheel against the card.
 5. The data recorder defined in claim 3, which further includes: A. a presser foot resiliently carried by said spring arm for engaging the card to flatten it at the printing location just prior to impact thereagainst by said print member.
 6. The data recorder defined in claim 1, wherein
 7. The data recorder defined in claim 1, wherein said interconnecting means includes
 8. The data recorder defined in claim 7, wherein said block and fall mechanism includes
 9. The data recorder defined in claim 8, wherein
 1. said print actuator arm operates to release said print cam for downward movement by said torsion spring during the first half of an entry cycle and to engage and lift said print cam against said torsion spring during the last half of said entry cycle.
 10. The data recorder defined in claim 1, which further includes A. an actuator pin coupling each said solenoid to its associated punch interposer; and B. an interposer guide pin coupling each said punch interposer to its associated punch
 11. The data recorder defined in claim 1, which further includes A. data card indexing means having
 12. A data recorder comprising, in combination: A. a keyboard for manually entering data characters; B. a holder for a card storing the entered data characters; C. stepping means for indexing said holder to advance the card by data storage location increments, said stepping means including
 13. The data recorder defined in claim 12, wherein said stepping means further includes
 14. The data recorder defined in claim 12, wherein said control cam is a positive motion, box cam, and said recorder further includes A. an actuator having a cam follower arm following said control cam;
 15. The data recorder defined in claim 12, wherein each said selector includes
 16. The data recorder defined in claim 12, wherein said holder is mounted for sliding movement into and out of said recorder, said holder having 